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Maids Reclaim Hades in Atwood's The Penelopiad
17 Oct
Summary
- Atwood's play revisits Odysseus's wife from the maids' perspective.
- A chorus of slain maids inhabits a minimalist, Hades-like setting.
- Amelia Bullmore's portrayal of Penelope shows restraint, lacks humor.
Margaret Atwood's "The Penelopiad," a revival of her novella adapted for the stage, shifts focus to the traditionally sidelined women of the Odysseus myth. The play is set in Hades, depicted with minimal design as a sterile, passionless space. Red ropes symbolize both narrative threads and the execution of Penelope's maids.
The eight-strong chorus, comprising these wronged maids, acts as the primary narrative engine. They embody a raucous energy, singing and dancing through episodes of Penelope's life while interjecting with their own bitter accounts. This collective voice contrasts sharply with Penelope's portrayal.
Amelia Bullmore plays Penelope, capturing her wry reserve and trepidation, but her performance sometimes appears stiff, with underpowered grim humor. The maids' chorus, by contrast, is a vibrant force, using various costumes to playfully represent characters before puncturing the levity with reminders of their impending doom.
